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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Anyone have a vaginal birth with first baby then c section with second?

23 replies

Moonshine160 · 09/08/2022 09:51

How did the two compare and was recovery after a c section a lot harder?

My due date is approaching fast and baby is still breech. I’m at the hospital again on Monday and if they are still breech then they’re going to put a plan in place for delivery. It’s likely to be a c section because growth is tailing off and they said they don’t want to cause baby any distress by trying to turn them so think a c section is the safest option.

I really wanted a vaginal birth especially as I’m going to be looking after my 3 year old too and I’m scared about recovery and how I’ll manage. DH is only having 10 days off work afterwards.

OP posts:

Dancingwithhyenas · 09/08/2022 09:52

Yes. I got help from relatives with my eldest but the recovery was great compared with first birth. Try not to panic. C sections can be a great and safe way to give birth.

thebear1 · 09/08/2022 09:53

My recovery from c-section was much better than after my vbac but I had a stage 4 tear so it really depends on the vaginal birth.

Original poster

Moonshine160 · 09/08/2022 10:50

Thanks both. My vaginal birth was fairly straight forward but my episiotomy wound got badly infected underneath and I had to have all my stitches removed and wait for it to heal on its own which was quite painful and looked horrific but didn’t affect me doing anything physically or moving about/lifting etc.

Reassuring to hear your recovery was straight forward though, I feel less worried now.

OP posts:

LASandOtto · 09/08/2022 12:34

Following with interest as in a similar situation but for different reasons.

First baby was a vaginal birth, 2nd degree tear, but a difficult birth with baby whisked to NICU straight away. I still get really bad flashbacks about it all.

I'm contemplating a section and I'm 36 weeks next week, and find it so hard to make a decision. I'm worried about the c section recovery or things going wrong, the senior midwives I've spoken to have walked me through all the risks of a section and I feel no further confident in what choice to make.

I've also got my 2 year old to think of and if we knew a date (which can of course move due to emergencies and prioritising of other sections) we could plan a bit better.

This baby was breech on the last scan and next scan is next week, so I'll decide then, I think.

Sorry for jumping in on your post OP. Wishing you all the best!

Dyra · 09/08/2022 18:02

I did. DC1 was vaginal birth, second degree tear. DC2 was emergency C-section due to failure to progress (fetal malposition). Both were inductions at 37 weeks due to pre-eclampsia.

In all honesty, the recovery pain wise was fine. I didn't need anything stronger than ibuprofen and paracetamol. I alternated them for a week or so post C-section, then reduced the frequency, for a week, only took as needed for a couple more days. I have had issues with the wound healing, but I was probably unlucky. The main thing that really helped was not having DC1 (then 2 1/2) underfoot. My sister very kindly took her off my hands for a few days to give me time to rest, recuperate, and get used to having a newborn again.

Best if luck with whatever happens, hopefully your DC2 will turn in time. DC2 was also breech at 36 weeks, but turned just under a week later. A few days before the ECV was booked for. However during labour he started (and stayed) back to back and flexed his head back, so got stuck. I wonder how bad his sense of direction will be when he's older.....

nattergal · 09/08/2022 18:19

I'm in exactly the same situation. 37+5 and breech so have opted for an elective section. Seeing the consultant tomorrow to book in a date. I had a gas and air vaginal birth the first time but had a bad tear and ended up in theatre after the baby was born to get stitched up. I'm fairly relaxed about a c section as long as it's elective rather than emergency so I can prepare myself for it. Good luck!

Ginmonkey84 · 09/08/2022 19:17

Have had both and I found they are both similar in terms of recovery if you’ve had trauma vaginally. It was the not being able to drive was my biggest thing that I struggled with. But with a c section you just need to try and not over do it. Your body will tell you that’s for sure if you’ve done too much. Same as with a vaginal birth injury keep on top of your meds and wound cleaning.

Donotgogentle · 09/08/2022 19:21

I did too. Recovery from the elective c-section was much easier than my difficult vaginal delivery, I’m still reaping the rewards of that one with a trashed pelvic floor.

The first night in hospital was incapacitating (catheter etc) but I was discharged after 24 hours with a packet of paracetamol and had no issues after that or significant pain. And I was in my 40s at the time.

TomAllenWife · 09/08/2022 19:31

I had 2 vaginal deliveries

Then a c section with DC3

It was an absolute shit show, recovery took months, botched surgery, psychological issues and successfully sued the NHS for negligence

I would rather have 100 babies out of my vaginal at the same time than a c section

RJnomore1 · 09/08/2022 19:34

I had an induction then an emergency c section.

After the first 24 hours the c section recovery was far far easier.

PumpkinGhoul · 09/08/2022 19:39

I had to have a c section for my second after suffering with 3rd degree tear on my first and having had forceps delivery etc

I was lucky in that I had my mum stay with me for two weeks after c section and my husband was off for a week and then he was off another week when my mum went back.

Mum was a recently retired nurse at time of DD's arrival so she was able to help with daily injections that I had to have can't remember what they are called but it's basically to stop risk of blood clots she basically helped out with my toddler DS so I didn't have to risk lifting up or carrying stuff.
Pain wise my lower back ached more the incision was fine I had no pain from that and within about a week or so I felt back to myself.

I made things easy like making sure babies changing mat was on our large dining table so everything was waist height not requiring me to bend over or stretch or lift things.
I got spare clothes out nightly and laid them on table to help with changing.
I also propped myself up when sleeping in bed so it was easier to reach DD for any night feds or for if I needed to get out of bed made it easier if I was already sat up than laying down.
My DS was entertained with toys books and occasionally movies.
I did manage to go out for walks with the DCs when DH or DM could come along.
I would say by week two you feel like your normal self again just still take it easy not to be lifting as the outside will heal quicker than the inside

SingingWaffleDoggy · 09/08/2022 19:39

I had 3c tears with the first so elected for a cs second time around. Recovery was so much better after cs. If you know it’s a c section you can pre plan, changing table with nappies etc at waist height, stock up on paracetamol, ibuprofen and dihydrocodeine, arrange transport to places and such like. Day 3 was pretty sore but a walk in the park compared to the tears first time around.

AmberGer · 09/08/2022 19:39

Both here too. Emcs second time.
Both took a while to recover from.
I coped fine after CS.
I used to bathe ds in the kitchen sink as it was easier on my stitches to stand and wash him there. I found ways to cope and before I knew it, I was back to normal.

dragonDan · 09/08/2022 19:42

100% for vaginal birth over cSection. Yes vaginal birth worse at the time but over it within a few days. CSection took weeks. I don't understand why people would choose C-section over vaginal.

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 09/08/2022 19:43

I had a very straightforward VB and then a very straightforward planned CS. The VB recovery was easier than the VB but by 3 weeks I was driving and definitely able to carry the baby in a car seat. Ten days sounds a bit optimistic to me with another child to be looking after.

soggydigestives · 09/08/2022 19:49

Induced vaginal with first resulting in a 3rd degree tear. It was horrible. Section with second and I absolutely loved it. I found it was difficult to sleep and lie down comfortably for a while afterwards, and I still suffer back issues from it, but I would do it again. The whole birth experience for me was much better.

NanaNelly · 09/08/2022 19:50

My daughter has just been through this with a breech baby and she said her experience this time round was far better than last time. I can also see a huge difference in her. She does have a lot of support though. But, she also had the same amount of support first time round.

noideawhatsuits · 09/08/2022 19:58

I had VB for first and planned CS for 2nd (well, 2nd&3rd as was twins).
Actual birth experience was so much easier with the planned section. Recovery not so much. We planned CS as I had a long rough Labour resulting in episiotomy and forceps for my first and with it being twins I was terrified of something happening that risked the health of twin2. I am glad I made that decision as both twins made it out perfectly. After the CS I felt like I'd been hit by a bus, it hit me harder than the VB which I was v sore after and a little she'll shocked, but nothing like as physically tired? I think part of that though might have been the twin thing, as my body was knackered from carrying them!
While I'd do the same again one thing I didn't really think about before hand was how I'd feel mentally about my body. After my VB I didn't snap back into shape or anything, but went reasonably back to what I was before, if a little bigger. But my twins are over 2 years ago now and I really hate my body now mostly due to the horrible shelf. I don't know if I was just unlucky or if it was down to twins, but it does get me down. Just to prepare you in case it happens to you. Good luck either way.

RagingWoke · 09/08/2022 19:58

Uneventful vaginal birth with dc1, recovery took a couple of weeks before I was back to 'normal', but was able to go for walks by the end of week 1 and was driving/shopping/going to groups by week 2.

Dc2 was EMCS and recovery was very different but not in a bad way. Bending was tender for a while. I wouldn't say the CS was worse, at least physically- baby spent a week in scbu which was difficult. But by the time we got home on day 8 I was able to look after baby and 4yo dc1. Was walking dc1 to school week 2 and driving week 3.
Obviously it's different for everyone but a quick recovery isn't uncommon.

Lostinbrum · 09/08/2022 20:02

I had a traumatic vaginal birth which gave me lots of problems, couldnt breast feed and had PND etc. Had an elective c section for the second and it was great. So relaxed, started breastfeeding while still in theatre. Was in hospital for a couple of days then out. Within about 5 days we were going out for coffee etc. My OH had 2 weeks off we have no family nearby so I had to look after a 2 year old and baby by myself. Found the c section far easier to recover from

TheBikiniExpert · 09/08/2022 20:03

Similar to others here : first birth very quick induced birth resulting in tearing and fractured coccyx. Took many, many months to recover. Second birth was a planned csection and was much quicker and easier to recover from!

TheBikiniExpert · 09/08/2022 20:04

(Second birth was twins but was still easier).

boydy99 · 09/08/2022 20:19

both of my DS births have been sections but the first I laboured and had a traumatic emcs and the second I had an elective section due to DS2 being unstable lie at 39+2. I'm almost 7 weeks post elcs and I cannot believe how good the recovery has been! I was out of hospital 24hrs afterwards, quite sore for a couple of days but manageable with paracetamol and ibuprofen. I was off all painkillers by day 6 I think it was. I have no pain now, just some numbness around the scar, occasional nerve tingling up my side and I can feel weakness in the lower abdominal area. we also liked being able to tell our DS1 what was happening and have him with our childminder that day. we only had 2 days notice but it felt well planned. Good luck with whatever you decide. 😊

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